[10897] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Re: The FCC strikes the Internet (fwd)
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Karl Denninger)
Mon Mar 14 01:40:01 1994
From: karl@mcs.com (Karl Denninger)
To: fidelman@civicnet.org (Miles R Fidelman)
Date: Sun, 13 Mar 1994 20:08:25 -0600 (CST)
Cc: karl@mcs.com, com-priv@psi.com
In-Reply-To: <Pine.3.89.9403132021.A13815-0100000@world.std.com> from "Miles R Fidelman" at Mar 13, 94 09:02:00 pm
> Based on the last thread of messages, I think I'd better clarify something:
>
> Neither I, nor The Center for Civic Networking, have ever espoused a
> position in favor of mandated, flat-rate email service. I/we agree with
> those who point out that cheap email is already a reality.
Good.
> Rather, we have espoused a goal of universal, cheap, flat-rate IP service.
A goal, perhaps, yes. As something to be regulated in, I say "no", and
loudly. The problem with regulation is that there is a definition problem
for "cheap", and there is a definition problem for "fair".
> Regarding specific policies:
>
> We strongly believe that low-cost, flat-rate, local loop service is the
> key bottleneck to low-cost IP service for residences and small
> organizations. We also believe that regulatory action, probably at the
> PUC level, is needed. If PUC authority is pre-empted in these issues,
> then the focus shifts to the joint Federal-State boards envisioned in
> HR3636 and S1822.
Start with addressing at the PUC and national levels the idiocy of T1 and
other high-speed channel pricing in the LECs. 24 analog telephone lines
cost roughly $350 monthly around Chicagoland. That's a T1 worth of capacity
from a telco perspective. That same thing delivered on a T1 is close to
$1,000 a month! For <$3,000> a month I can buy that same line from here to
San Francisco!
> We have, at times, floated the notion that local exchange carriers should
> be required to provide IP services -- but in light of some of the points
> raised in discussions on this and other lists, we've backed away from
> this notion, believing instead that unbundled local loop serices will
> lead to third party provision of IP services; and that letting regulation
> get too close to the Internet per se is a bad idea.
Good.
> Miles Fidelman
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